I haven’t been to a theatrical production for many years. I’ve been to gigs, I’ve seen some contemporary dance I think if I remember vaguely, a little bit of Am Dram here and there.I’ve watched a National Theatre Live at the Taliesin but I haven’t seen a musical since, I believe, I was about 25! That of course was many moons ago and was probably Miss Saigon in London’s West End somewhere. Fabulous.
Residing in Swansea however, a trip to the nearest musical theatre production means possibly remortgaging your house or selling an organ, after buying the tickets, travel costs etc.
So with the arrival of the shiny new Swansea Arena, right on our collective doorsteps, risen out of the ground in all its’ glorious red and gold; finally, I thought, this lazy, poor old wannabe show goer can have her dream at last and even get a pint at The Queens on the way home! ( hahaha - how apt!)
Of course knowing it to be a live music venue in the first instance, ( and I’m more than ok with that) I was also secretly hoping there’d be some room to squeeze in some ‘showy type shows. You know; theatrical, all singing, all dancing, spangly costumes, a light show and, ooh I don’t know, maybe an all female cast and musicians thrown in for good luck and a story line and production that aims to balance the ‘gender disparity in meaty theatrical parts!’
Well imagine my surprise when I was invited to watch SIX this fine October, that I knew little about, where I was served up everything I previously mentioned and desired and so much more ( And also Prosecco - a nice touch!)
In brief SIX, written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, is a musicale pop concert where the historical figures of Henry VIII’s six wives form a girl group ( but they all have their own solo careers) to express the awful experiences they had during Tudor times being married to the then rather hefty, misoginistic, frankly quite horrid King of England!
Please don’t expect huge weighted costumes, a hurdy gurdy and memories of your old GCSE history teacher though. It really is a pop concert! In fact Anne Boleyn is more akin to a Scottish Taylor Swift and Anna Cleves a sassy Nicki Minaj. Referencing their experiences from 500 years ago we are comically dragged into a very modern world siting tinder and profile pics and giving a new, fresh perspective on the lives of the wives as people in their own right, not just known for their marital status, how they died or their divorces! The songs are brilliant, a real nod to different genres and funny to boot. Anne Boleyn sings Don’t lose your head ( which of course she did) and Haus of Holbein, a German house/ techno remix made me crease up! Honestly, It’s so much fun!
The music and the performances are outstanding. Each Queen bringing such high energy, incredible vocals, the choreography is perfect and the costumes? Well, studded thigh high boots - need I say more!
What struck me was the set design ( Emma Bailey) and overall technical production. Simply lit church windows were used to such brilliant neon effect and as an ensemble with the musicianship, choreography and lighting all working in perfect syncronicity there were some really clever moments, perfectly timed and executed. (no pun intended)
Referencing ‘The six point plan’ of the writers mentioned in the programme; I love the fact that this piece was written with the intention of giving female historical characters a voice to tell their ‘herstory’, not through the male gaze or from ‘his’ point of view. I love that they aim to show the parallels in the female experience from 500 years ago to now. I LOVE that the cast and crew are predominantly female and that it’s a celebration of all things sisterhood because it’s about time! And I love that this shouldn’t and couldn’t put off anyone to go and see it because at the end of the day it’s silly and camp and spangly and simply a really good time! It is a show about gender but it’s also a lot of fun and doesn’t take itself too seriously. I for one thought it was very funny, I bopped in my seat, as did everyone around me and if you’re into standing ovations, which I am, there’ll definitely be one at the end of each performance, I guarantee it.
SIX runs until 22nd October at The Swansea Arena
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